The Tyler Legacy High School speech and debate program has earned charter status in the National Speech & Debate Association! This significant achievement is the highest school membership honor offered. To become a charter member, the program has demonstrated excellence in attaining new members and degrees in the Honor Society over the last three years.
Charter status is earned by building a team that is heavily involved in the honor society, wherein they earn points and distinction through speech and debate competition, as well as community service, public speaking, and leadership activities. Earning a charter is a remarkable achievement, placing the Legacy program among the best and most stable in the nation. This designation demonstrates that under the leadership of Head Speech and Debate Coach Melody Daniels, not only is the team growing and competing at a high level, but they uphold the highest standards of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service to the National Speech & Debate Association.
“Participation in speech and debate changes lives,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “We are extremely proud of our charter schools, coaches, and students for their hard work and dedication to this transformative activity.”
From building confidence, improving communication, and increasing critical thinking skills to better preparing students for college, speech and debate activities provide life skills vital to a young person’s success in the future. Schools that provide speech and debate programs report increased attendance, higher test scores, rise in college acceptance, and reduced dropout rates. Charter schools reflect a sustained commitment to these values.
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States.
The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 150,000 students and coaches every year. For more than 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit speechanddebate.org.
Sophomore Jack Bergfeld, Junior McKenna Lloyd, Senior Kawsar Yasin, Junior Colten Edelman at The University of Austin competing in the UIL State Cross-Examination Debate Tournament.
Freshman Jawhar Yasin, Senior Kawsar Yasin, Senior Angie Carroll, Sophomore Jack Bergfeld, Junior McKenna Lloyd, Junior Colten Edelman.
Angie Carroll, Blanca Kellermann-Jimenez, Bella Williams, McKenna Lloyd, Marina Nance, Colten Edelman
Regionals: Marina Nance, Angie Carroll, Kawsar Yasin, Bella Williams, Blanca Kellerman-Jimenez